18 Things You Need To Know About Blog Readers

18 Things You Need To Know About Blog Readers:
Here at Weidert Group’s international headquarters, we know blogging is critical to successful Inbound Marketing. We’ve been doing it for years and we’ve learned a lot – much of it the hard way. Some of what we’ve learned is about what intrigues an audience and what turns them off. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind as your write your next post.
Your readers…

1. …want to make their lives easier. Write your post in that context.
2. …have heard it all. Don’t waste time on obvious, old, stale topics.
3. …sometimes need a refresher. If one of your posts drew lots of traffic to your site, rerun it again a few months later.
4. …connect best on a personal level. Write in first person when you can – it humanizes your organization.
5. …like to be entertained. Writing with humor can be refreshing – just make sure you’re as funny as you think you are.
6. …want an easy read. Make the copy brisk and bright – write conversationally.
7. …are looking for answers. A good format is to 1) present the prospect’s challenge; 2) present your product or service as the solution (with evidence); 3) tell your prospect what step to take next.
8. …don’t want to be sold to. Write it well and your post will tell them everything they need to know: your level of expertise, how you think, your competitive advantage.
9. …want to get a sense of the writer. Let your personality show through.
10. …don’t respect competitor-trashing. Don’t mention them by name.
11. …are busy. Keep your post short and powerful.
12. …are easily bored. Keep it lively – use imagery and present arresting facts.
13. …have lots of options. Make yourself invaluable with content that helps readers improve their business.
14. …love stories. Tell them one about your product or service.
15. …are turned off by writing that’s arrogant, wishy-washy, dull, pushy, cutesy, formal, or repetitive.
16. …are drawn in by writing that’s fresh, personal, visual, structured, interesting, and colorful.
17. …are smart. They’ll see through self-serving pronouncements and insincerity.
18. …are invisible. Try to forget that. Write as though you were writing to a person you know well, sitting across from you.

Your audience is fairly complex, yet my advice is simple: Don’t just write – write to someone, about their challenge. You’ll see your writing – and response to it – become very powerful.